Monday, February 09, 2009

I really like this particular game of Blog-Tag, because it relates to one of my favourite subjects: science books. Thanks to Christie at Observations of a Nerd for tagging me.

Imagine: YOU are asked to assign a half-dozen-or-so books as required reading for ALL science majors at a college as part of their 4-year degree; NOT technical or text books, but other works, old or new, touching upon the nature of science, philosophy, thought, or methodology in a way that a practicing scientist might gain from.

Post your list, and forward the meme to a half-dozen-or-so other science-oriented bloggers of your choosing.

Okay, so my book selection:

John Gribbin, History of Western Science

E.O. Wilson, Biophilia: The Human Bond with Other Species

Daniel Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life

Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel: A Short History of Everybody for the Last 13,000 Years

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Thirty years ago, I was a law student. I lived in the inner city of Sydney, next door to a lovely fellow, who was young, pretty and gay. I'll call him Carl.

Carl liked the odd toke of the odd joint, and one day, he'd just bought a generous deal of cannabis. He was busted, arrested and sent to court. I accompanied him. I was only in second year at law school, so couldn't do much apart from hand-holding. He received a custodial sentence of 6 months. I remember the shock I felt as he was taken away, the look on his face.

Some weeks later, Carl rang me from Long Bay Prison. He was in despair, being raped nightly, and he begged me to help him. He gave me the name of his defence solicitor, to see if I could ask him to do something.

I rang the lawyer and explained what was happening. "Sorry," he told me. "I don't do after-sale service." They were his exact words. I was gobsmacked. Apart from the sheer financial selfishness he demonstrated, his lack of compassion was breathtaking.

So I contacted Redfern Legal Centre, a community/poverty law organisation largely staffed by volunteers, and made an appointment with their full time lawyer running the Prisoners' Legal Service. The woman I saw was understanding of my friend's plight, and put him down on her prison visiting list. She couldn't get him out of gaol, but she could give him advice and comfort. She helped him a lot.

This woman transformed my ideas about the law. I became a student volunteer at Redfern Legal Centre, working one night a week, and when I qualified, continued volunteering at nights at the Illawarra and Parramatta Legal Centres. She was smart, completely lacking in pretention, no bullshit, and incredibly well able and willing to take on the bully boys (and they were largely boys) in the legal profession and police.

Today, that woman was made one of the seven judges of the High Court of Australia, the highest court in the country. Virginia Bell, after Redfern Legal Centre, went on to private practice and Public Defender work, as a solicitor and then at the Bar. She was appointed to the NSW Supreme Court in 1995.

Virginia, as a Supreme Court judge, ruled that it is not defamatory to call someone gay, a landmark decision. She was a participant in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978, and defended some of those arrested for participating. Basically, the woman is a star and her appointment is a real milestone, and not only because she's only the fourth woman and the second openly gay member of the High Court bench (replacing the first, Michael Kirby), but because her record as a level-headed defender of human rights and social justice.

I am proud to remember High Court Justice Bell from way back when. And I think Carl will remember her well too.

Oh, and on a completely different note, this blog's just been included in the Top 100 Botany Blogs by a group called "Online College Blog". Colour me chuffed! Thanks to whoever let them know about my little corner of the Net. :)

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About Me

I've recently finished a Bachelor of Advanced Science in Biology at Macquarie University, and previously gained degrees in Arts (Literature) and Law. I've worked as a plant science researcher, sessionary tutor in plant ecology, lawyer, screenwriter, librettist and arts journalist. My passions are varied, including Australian flora, mutualism and parasitism, genetics, literature, photography and cinema.

I live with my husband and daughter and two dogs in a quiet spot next to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which is quite possibly heaven.

Biophilia: To explore and affiliate with life is a deep and complicated process in mental development. To an extent still undervalued in philosophy and religion, our existence depends on this propensity, our spirit is woven from it, hope rises on its currents.--Edward O. Wilson, "Biophilia"